Chicopee receives grant to plan for landfill closing

CHICOPEE - The city is beginning the planning process to prepare for the eventual closing of the landfill on New Lombard Road, now anticipated for 2018.

The private landfill, operated by Connecticut Valley Sanitary Waste Disposal, is a regional facility that services a number of communities in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Mayor Richard J. Kos announced Thursday the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission has awarded the city a District Local Technical Assistance Grant to provide assistance in the analysis of alternatives and plans for the 2018 closure.

As the host community, Chicopee dumps its waste in the landfill, receives significant revenue from a host community fee and also has a "favorable disposal contract," he said.

"A plan needs to be developed to offer solid waste disposal alternatives prior to that date," he said in a written statement.

Last year Stanley Kulig, the retired Department of Public Works superintendent, was hired as a consultant and has been studying the issue, Kos said.

As part of the planning process, Kos announced Thursday he has appointed 11 people to serve on a Landfill Alternatives Advisory committee. All of its meetings will be open to the public.

Kulig and Ward 6 Councilor Timothy S. McLellan will serve as chairmen. Other members are City Councilors Frank N. Laflamme, James K. Tillotson and William Zaskey; Department of Public Works Superintendent Jeffrey Neece; Public Works recycling coordinator Barry Brouillard; Planning Director Lee Pouliot; Chicopee Housing Authority Director Monica Blazic and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection representative Arlene Miller. The business representatives will be Marc Dugre of DeJordy, Dugre, Croteau, & Co. P.C. and Paul Phaneuf of St. Pierre Funeral Home.

The committee will work closely with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission staff. The group is expected to complete a report at the end of the fiscal year that will be used by the mayor and City Council, Kos said.

"The committee is expected to make recommendations for solid waste disposal options and operational changes that will be required to minimize the anticipated cost that could result from this landfill closure," Kos said.